Just as they did in 2024, the Indianapolis Colts add to the defensive end position in the latest mock draft from Doug Farrar of Athlon Sports.
In Farrar’s mock, with Tyler Warren long gone by the time the Colts are picking, he has Indianapolis taking Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams at pick No. 14.
“I may be higher on Mykel Williams than some, but if he’s here at 14, I’m thinking that I can get a good tight end for Richardson later,” wrote Farrar. “Instead, I’m running to take a guy who had five sacks, 26 total pressures, 12 solo tackles, and 16 stops last season for Georgia, despite injuries that left him, by his own account, less than 60% healthy in the 2024 campaign. When you watch the tape, you’re left wondering aloud what on earth the other 40-plus percent would do to opposing quarterbacks.”
Williams measured in at 6-5 – 260 pounds and ran a 4.77-second 40. The individual numbers from Williams won’t leap off the stat sheet compared to other edge defenders, but this is a selection where the team that takes him is betting on his potential.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com would call Williams an “upside prospect” in his scouting report, noting that he is an “explosive athlete” with “loads of traits.” Zierlein adds that Williams needs more snaps, after playing just under 1,200 during his three seasons at Georgia, but that his improvement feels “inevitable.”
Along with Williams’ pass rush production that Farrar highlighted, Williams was also one of PFF’s higher graded run defenders at his position group in 2024 as well.
With Dayo Odeyingbo in Chicago, the Colts have a lot of production and playing time to replace. Getting Samson Ebukam back after he missed the 2024 season, along with Laiatu Latu making a big jump in Year 2, will be important in accomplishing that, but even so, the depth at defensive end could also use a boost.
In addition to that, not to be forgotten about is that the NFL draft is also about planning ahead for teams. And as we look ahead to 2026, Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents.
This was a Colts’ pass rush in 2024 that ranked 22nd in pressure rate and 26th in sacks. However, playing in Lou Anarumo’s more aggressive defensive scheme should help the pass rush. Last season, the quick passing game against the Colts’ secondary made getting regular pressure a difficult task.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL mock draft: Colts add to pass rush, pick Georgia DE Mykel Williams
Just as they did in 2024, the Indianapolis Colts add to the defensive end position in the latest mock draft from Doug Farrar of Athlon Sports.
In Farrar’s mock, with Tyler Warren long gone by the time the Colts are picking, he has Indianapolis taking Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams at pick No. 14.
“I may be higher on Mykel Williams than some, but if he’s here at 14, I’m thinking that I can get a good tight end for Richardson later,” wrote Farrar. “Instead, I’m running to take a guy who had five sacks, 26 total pressures, 12 solo tackles, and 16 stops last season for Georgia, despite injuries that left him, by his own account, less than 60% healthy in the 2024 campaign. When you watch the tape, you’re left wondering aloud what on earth the other 40-plus percent would do to opposing quarterbacks.”
Williams measured in at 6-5 – 260 pounds and ran a 4.77-second 40. The individual numbers from Williams won’t leap off the stat sheet compared to other edge defenders, but this is a selection where the team that takes him is betting on his potential.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com would call Williams an “upside prospect” in his scouting report, noting that he is an “explosive athlete” with “loads of traits.” Zierlein adds that Williams needs more snaps, after playing just under 1,200 during his three seasons at Georgia, but that his improvement feels “inevitable.”
Along with Williams’ pass rush production that Farrar highlighted, Williams was also one of PFF’s higher graded run defenders at his position group in 2024 as well.
With Dayo Odeyingbo in Chicago, the Colts have a lot of production and playing time to replace. Getting Samson Ebukam back after he missed the 2024 season, along with Laiatu Latu making a big jump in Year 2, will be important in accomplishing that, but even so, the depth at defensive end could also use a boost.
In addition to that, not to be forgotten about is that the NFL draft is also about planning ahead for teams. And as we look ahead to 2026, Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents.
This was a Colts’ pass rush in 2024 that ranked 22nd in pressure rate and 26th in sacks. However, playing in Lou Anarumo’s more aggressive defensive scheme should help the pass rush. Last season, the quick passing game against the Colts’ secondary made getting regular pressure a difficult task.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL mock draft: Colts add to pass rush, pick Georgia DE Mykel Williams
